Q&A: The Life of a Sports Instructor

2. Tell us about how you find out about Camp Canada.

A friend of mine recommended it and Although she didn’t do it, I thought I’d step out of my comfort zone and give it a shot! BEST DECISION EVER!

3. What made you want to work at a summer camp in Canada?

North America is an area of the world which I always wanted to go to as it is a place so different from England and Europe as a whole. Not generally being a travel loving person, working at a summer camp allowed me both to step out of my comfort zone and have a fun summer all in one.

4. What was your role at camp?

I was the Head of Sports at camp. Sports included; baseball, basketball, soccer (football), and volleyball.

5. Did you originally apply for this position?

Throughout the application, I didn’t specifically have a job position in mind, but looking back now, I absolutely LOVED it! (I promise this isn’t sponsored)

6. How much experience did you have in this specialty before you worked at camp?

Before camp, I had experience working with children who have special needs in various different sports; specially basketball but other than that I didn’t go into this role with more than that.

7. What were your first thoughts when you got hired as an Activity Specialist?

I was honestly so nervous; especially not knowing what to expect and the internet honestly didn’t help much. I feel like summer camp is one of those things no one can prepare you for, you honestly just have to go out there and give it a shot.

I had imagined loads of different scenarios where things would go wrong or I couldn’t do something to the standard expected of me. But what we forget at these moments is that, although this is a job, it’s not a job where you are expected to be completely serious all the time.

Think about these children who return to summer camp year after year. Why? Because this is a place for them to have fun. Having fun and learning together with your class is a lot better than you instructing and providing equipment. The children will love you because you are playing with them and you are also learning whilst having fun.

8. What did your first week at camp look like? Did you receive any support when you first arrived at camp?

At my camp, there were two Head of Sports instructors as well as one other assistant. Together, we were clearly given all the materials (codes for sports shed, timetables etc) we needed to successfully conduct our job properly.

During our pre-camp training, the three of us would play basketball or baseball as well as organize the sports shed. The first week of camp was very intense but very fun. We experienced the first excitement of summer with campers of all ages.

9. How much interaction did you have with the campers?

I interacted with many of the campers, if not all the campers, throughout the whole summer. Each day, there were 5 different periods and 1-hour general swim time where the campers were given the option of attending any activity of their choices.

In terms of living arrangements, there were two options at my camp; live out specialists and live in specialists. I was a live-out specialist, which meant I didn’t live in a cabin with kids.

My routine involved waking up in the morning, going to breakfast and then, whilst the children did a cleanup cabin time, I was setting up for the period to come. After dinner, I was doing different jobs (aka jobbies) around camp e.g. helping with mails or snacks whilst the kids had their evening programs before bedtime.

10. What do you wish you knew about working as an Activity Specialist?

I wish I would have known to be more relaxed. Whatever the role is at camp, the secret weapon is to try and have fun with it.

11. What did you do during your time off at camp?

During my days off, my friends and I would always drive into town for dinner and look around; perhaps find a park or simply do different activities within the camp!

12. What’s your most memorable moment about working at summer camp in Canada?

I have so many! But honestly, my top one is the time I spent with my campers and colleagues and bond I formed with them. As cheesy as it sounds, spending two months with the same people can start to feel like a routine and when it comes to that time when you have to say your goodbyes, that’s when the impact these people have had on you starts to show. I went to camp with shaky nerves and have come out with 200 camp children and 200 friends from different walks of life and parts of the globe.

13. Describe working at camp in three words.

Life changing. Eye opening. Simply AWESOME.

P.S whoever reads this, just DO IT

Does an Activity Specialist role at summer camp sound like the right fit to you? If so, learn more about the types of Camp Canada positions we can offer.